[Cellular localization of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary using immunoperoxidase technique (author's transl)]

Abstract

An immunohistologic study of germ cell tumors of the ovary was undertaken to investigate a correlation of the histology with the presence of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the tissue specimens. A positive reaction for AFP was consisted of dark brownblack granular intracytoplasmic deposits and some of hyaline globules were also positive in some instances. There was tissue localization of AFP in 9 of 10 embryonal carcinomas (endodermal sinus tumor, Teilum) and in 4 of 5 solid teratomas. Two patients with embryonal carcinoma positive for AFP had normal serum level in AFP. A positive staining for HCG was found in 4 embryonal carcinomas and in 2 solid teratomas; it was consisted of dark brown cytoplasmic deposits localized exclusively to syncytiotrophoblast giant cells. The tumor cells positive for AFP but negative for HCG, and vice vasa indicated that these two carcinoembryonic proteins were produced by different cells. The localization of CEA was also studied in 3 embryonal carcinomas. None of embryonal carcinomas and 3 solid teratomas were reacted to CEA; it was consisted of a dark brown deposit localized in cell surface of stratified squamous cells and tall columnar cells forming glandular structure. All of the histologically immature neural components were negative for these carcinoembryonic proteins.